Wild About Hertfordshire exhibition opens in St Albans

'Wild about Hertfordshire' opened on March 21 in the Keeper's Galleries at St Albans Museum + Gallery and will run until July 6.

The exhibition is organised by the Hertfordshire Natural History Society (HNHS) to celebrate its 150th anniversary.

'Wild about Hertfordshire' opened on March 21 in the Keeper's Galleries at St Albans Museum + Gallery and will run until July 6. (Image: St Albans Museum + Gallery) Entirely run by volunteers, the society has been observing and recording local wildlife since its inception in 1875.

The display highlights Hertfordshire's diverse wildlife and habitats, including the county's 10 per cent share of the world's 200 chalk streams, such as the River Ver.

Wild about Hertfordshire exhibition at St Albans Museum + Gallery Typical Hertfordshire Chalk Fossils, 3-D chalk stream model, and Bird Photograph of the Year (last 9 years winners of Hertfordshire Bird Club Awards). Celebrating 150 years of Hertfordshire Natural History Society. (Image: Ellie McCormick for St Albans Museum) It also brings attention to the issues faced by the county's wildlife, including climate change, pesticides, and other human-induced problems.

The exhibition warns that 1,430 species in Hertfordshire are of conservation concern and rated rare or threatened.

Seventy-six species have become extinct in the county over the last 50 years, including one of southern England's last tree sparrow colonies at Tyttenhanger.

HNHS secretary and St Albans resident, David Utting, said: "Hertfordshire Natural History Society is a remarkable county institution.

"We are excited by this opportunity to share our big birthday celebration and tell more people about our county’s wonderful wildlife.

"We want to inspire them – young and old – to go out and discover the natural world for themselves."

St Albans Mayor Jamie Day & Mayoress Liz Day and artist Chloe. Wild about Hertfordshire exhibition at St Albans Museum + Gallery. Celebrating 150 years of Hertfordshire Natural History Society. (Image: Ellie McCormick for St Albans Museum) The exhibition features a 3D model of the rare River Ver chalk stream, and information on Hertfordshire's lost and newly-arrived species.

Visitors can also see rare historic botany books dating back to 1479.

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HNHS hopes the exhibition will raise awareness of their work and inspire more people, particularly young nature enthusiasts, to join their efforts.

Visitors in Wild about Hertfordshire exhibition at St Albans Museum + Gallery. Celebrating 150 years of Hertfordshire Natural History Society. (Image: Ellie McCormick for St Albans Museum) Farhana Begum, arts, tourism, culture and heritage manager at St Albans City and District Council, said: "We hope this exhibition will help people to think about what is right on their doorstep and encourage them to get out into the natural world.

"Not only is this great for the natural environment in Hertfordshire but it helps with our ongoing learning about it."

Entry to the exhibition is free.